OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on favorite TV shows offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for B1–B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss their favorite TV series and how they choose or rank them.
• Expand vocabulary with adjectives and phrases for describing TV shows and characters.
• Watch a video about a YouTuber’s top 5 favorite TV series and complete comprehension activities.
• Practice using phrases for describing genre, plot, characters, and good/bad aspects of a show.
• Share and recommend TV series to classmates using the phrases naturally in conversation.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson by exploring Henrik’s top 5 favorite TV series through a visual list and short descriptions. They discuss which shows they have seen, what they think about them, and other popular series they know. Students examine different types of TV shows they like or dislike and explain their reasons. Next, they classify example statements into “Good Aspects” or “Bad Aspects” of a show and discuss other qualities that make a series enjoyable or less appealing. Finally, students participate in a short TV show quiz, guessing series based on brief plot descriptions, and reflect on how difficult it would be to rank their own top 3–5 shows.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a video in which a YouTuber shares his top 5 favorite TV series from the past few years, explaining what he loved about each show, what challenged him, and why these series are at the top of his list. The series discussed include House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad.

After watching, students complete a matching activity to connect each series with the reasons the YouTuber likes it.

They then answer true/false questions and correct any false statements, focusing on comprehension and detail from the video. Activities involve short-answer writing and discussion to help students understand the content and context of each TV series.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

Students discuss which of the YouTuber’s favorite series they have seen, share opinions, and describe why they would or would not watch the other shows. They explore how they usually discover new series, including reviews, ratings, or recommendations, and explain their decision-making process.

Next, students read two dialogues where characters recommend TV shows using phrases like “The series is set in…,” “It tells the story of…,” and “I find [character/the show]…” Students match these phrases to categories—genre, plot/setting, characters, or good/bad aspects—and practice using them naturally.

Finally, students imagine they are the YouTuber and describe one of their top 5 shows using 2–3 of the phrases to recommend it.

ACTIVATION: MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES! HAVE YOU SEEN…?

Students first rank their personal top 3 favorite TV shows and brainstorm or write about the genre, plot, characters, and good/bad aspects using a mindmap.

They then work in pairs to share and recommend shows, describing them without spoilers. Students use phrases such as “The show revolves around…,” “It’s a mix of…,” and “It’s been criticized as…,” while discussing series they love or find interesting. The activity encourages natural conversation and helps students consolidate the target language in a meaningful way.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS FAVORITE TV SHOWS ESL LESSON

This lesson engages students in meaningful conversation about TV shows, encouraging them to speak fluently and confidently. It strengthens listening comprehension through a real YouTube video and includes comprehension activities that focus on detail and accuracy.

Students expand their vocabulary and learn practical phrases for describing series, plots, and characters. Pair work and role-play activities foster collaborative learning and peer interaction.

Finally, the lesson promotes critical thinking by having students compare, evaluate, and recommend TV shows based on personal preferences and opinions.